A charming painting of a little dog called 'Floss' at the age of 12 months. Oil on canvas painted in 1919 by Margaret May Smith.

The paint layer was mostly 'floating' on top of the support, there were two areas where the paint had flaked and fallen away, and there was a dent on the top left hand side.

After removing the frame it was discovered that there was extensive craquelure and a spiral crack caused by tension. The stretcher had woodworm.

The treatment involved cleaning with de-ionised water, then ph neutral soap, then a solvent. The loose paint layers were reattached with wax resin and a heated spatula, whilst protecting the surrounds with Japanese tissue. Remaining damage was filled with gesso before careful retouching.